Friday 18th July 2003 - Training Pre-Season (Technique AM, Overloading (defensive) LUNCH, Sprints PM)
Alan Hardy comes in to see me first thing friday morning to let me know about some news.
AH: Hi Ian, I've just had word from Bury FC, Andy Preece would like to sign Peter Beardsley as his new Assistant Manager.
IM: What?! But we only signed him yesterday. I wish that ****** Preece would **** off! What can we do to keep Peter?
AH: Technically nothing, we can offer him a new contract to stay here, Peter can turn them down or he can leave but if he does Bury have to pay us £55k for his services.
IM: Well it's upto Peter then, if he wants to work with him then that's upto him. I'm not offering him a new improved deal having lowered other staff's wages, it just ain't fair and we could do with the money at the moment. Can you ask Peter to come and see me later after training?
AH: No problems I'll get onto that right away.
I Spend the rest of the morning restructuring my coaching staff, I have too many coaches at the moment so I need to offload one or two. I decide that
Tommy Wright and Gil Prescott are the two to leave, I'll talk to them later on.
My first permanent signing has been completed today,
Michael Williamson, a 17 year old scottish goalkeeper who was released by
Celtic few days ago, he is a promising young goalkeeper who I rate highly. He is on
£200 a week until June 2006. He commands his area well and his handling is good. I expect him to become a future number 1 in a few years time.
Another load of trialists join the club today:
Paul Dempsey D RC Darren Bloor D C Spencer Whelan D RC Alex Dick D C Matthew Wicks D LC Scott Jones D LC Matthew Ghent GK Duncan Spedding D LC Deal finishes (15/08/03) Brett Angell rejects the offer of a trial at the club and
Lee Jones prefers the contract offer from
Dundee, rejecting my trial offer and
uton, Grimsby and Plymouth's contracts.
Three players accept their new contracts:
Leslie Pogliacomi is now on
£1,200 a week until June 2006, a saving of
£300. John Eyre is now earning
£1,000 a week until June 2005, a saving of
£200. Matt O'Halloran now earns
£600 a week in a lengthened contract lasting until June 2006. A saving of
£100.
A saving of
£800 in total has been achieved so far.
Danny Boshell, Dean Holden, Paul Murray, Chris Killen, Darren Sheridan and Michael Clegg come rejecting their contracts but willing to talk about them, improved offers are given for them to take away.
Back in the Manager's Office... IM: Tommy, Gil I'd like to thank you for your hard work here at Boundary Park but I'm afraid with the clubs finances and the bringing in of new staff means I have to release some staff, unfortunately I will have to release you both. I'm going to pay up your contracts in full as form as compensation. I'll sort it out with Neil Joy that the money goes into your acocunts as soon as possible, you are owed £18k each. Thank you for the work you have put in and good luck in the future in finding a new club, I wish you all the best.
So
Tommy Wright and Gil Prescott leave the club with their compensation.
IM: Hi Peter, I hear Bury are after your services.
PB: Yes boss err to be honest I've only just come to this club and err to be honest I don't want to leave so soon, I want to further my coaching career into management eventually so I don't know to be honest. I will listen to their offer and decide from there.
IM: Ok that's fair enough, I haven't decided on roles yet for the coaching staff so there might be a management position up for grabs here at Oldham for either the reserves or the youth team. I would like you to stay and build this club up, we need a man of your experience and knowledge here.
PB: Thank you, I'll go and see what they are offering and I'll let you know my decision asap.
Brentford offer a contract to
Damon Robson who I'm currently trying to get on a trial.
Preston North End decide not to follow up their bid for
Will Haining. 
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